HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-04-TREE-min
Minutes of Lexington Tree Committee
December 4, 2008
In attendance at the meeting: John Frey, Chair; Members: Jewel Kuljian, Gerry Paul, David
Pinsonneault, Tree Warden; Anne Senning, Nell Walker, Jim Wood.
1 .Jewel Kuljian appointed as scribe and minutes of November 13, approved, as amended.
2. David Pinsonneault's agenda:
a) Tree removal applications and activity: 623 sites visited/478 closed, 764 to remove/533
removed, 1844 to be planted/1,171 planted, $6,030 collected in fees which goes to the
General
Fund (from August 4, 2008).
b) Belfry Hill Norway Maple removal: John and Anne met with Mr. Joe Nardelli of Foti
Landscape and Tree Service. The Norway Maples will be cut down on Tuesday, December 9
and Thursday December 11. The abutters should be notified. Two substantial trees are
anchored in the fence on the property and David will look at them to evaluate the situation.
c) Fall Tree Planting: All of the thirty-five street trees have been planted. About $14,000 has
been spent to date with $10,000 remaining for the spring planting. An extensive record has
been
kept of this fall planting at each stage of the process.
d) Tree City USA application: David reported that the application has already been filed;
postmark deadline is December 1.
e) Tree Nursery: More plastic root protectors have been ordered. Jim will install them on the
trees as soon as they arrive. Jim and David will meet to discuss issues pertaining to the
Nursery
next week.
f) Tree Manual: The committee met on Tuesday, December 2 to review the graphics. At this
meeting today Nell clarified the “setback graphics” with David and spoke about the other
graphics. Once the Manual is complete 500 copies will be printed. Anne will handle this as
well
as taking the necessary steps to have the printing done at Lexington Graphics.
g) Bylaw protection for large specimen trees per P. Mehr's email: The Committee decided,
after
discussion about a range of approaches, to start by attempting to increase public awareness
of the
value of the very large trees on private property through publicity in the Lexington Minuteman
and Colonial Times. Anne suggested that a group of photos of large trees along with inviting
people to come forth to speak about trees on their property as one way to approach this
awareness.
January and/or February may be a time for the Committee to follow up on this idea.
h) Asian Longhorn Beetle: Jim suggested that something on this topic be included in the
property tax bills. David said he will speak to Eric Seaborn of the DCR about this
suggestion. He also said that Mass. Arborists have been participating in a training sessions
on the
beetle. He would like his staff to go out to Worcester to participate in the work that is being
done there to contain the spread of this blight, especially with Maple trees.
i) Carl Valente letter responding to our budget letter to Selectmen: David reported that he had
received a letter from Carl Valente(copies distributed to members). The Committee
welcomed
this communication. When David and Jim meet about issues pertaining to the Nursery, they
will
formulate a response to the question asked about when trees in the nursery will be ready for
replanting as street trees. John Frey will then write the letter.
Other: Committee for Master Plan for Lexington Green: David Pinsonneault is a member of
this
committee. John Frey will speak to Norman Cohen as to whether the Tree Committee should
be
represented .
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3. Friends of Trees: There may be some new members joining this committee.
4. Web Site: Karen sent information to the Committee reporting that the changes have been
made to the
web site including links of interest.
5. Tree Committee Annual Report and photo for Town Report: Thank you to Nell for taking the
photo.
John will send out the report to Committee members once completed after the close of the
year.
Items Pending:
6. Articles for newspapers on very large trees.
7. Invite Dave Cannon to next meeting.
8. Tree canopy parking lots: a zoning bylaw amendment?
Next Meeting: January 15, 2009, 7:30 AM in Room 111. (not January 8)